April 16 2017 Easter - The Foundation For Happiness

EASTER, THE FOUNDATION FOR HAPPINESS

Col. 1:14 – Christ bought our freedom with His blood.

John 10:10 – Jesus said, “I come to give you life to the full.”

Matt. 28:5 - He is not here, He has risen.

Psalm 146:5 – Happy is he whose hope is in the Lord.

Happiness is Possible:

1. Because Christ can free you from guilt.

Eph. 1:7 – By the death of Christ we are set free, that is, our sins are forgiven.

Col.2.14 – He has cancelled every record of the debt

we owed. Christ has done away with it by nailing it to the cross.

Rom 8:1 – There is no condemnation awaiting those who belong to Christ.

2. Because Christ can free you from worry.

I Peter 1:2 – God’s Spirit has been at work in you heart through Jesus Christ. May God grant you increasing freedom from all anxiety and fear.

Ph. 4:13 – I am ready for anything through the strength of Christ who lives in me.

3. Because Christ can give you purpose.

Eph. 2:10 – We are God’s work of art, created in Christ Jesus to live the good life as He meant for us to live it.

Acts 20:24 – Life is worth nothing unless I use it for doing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus.

4. Because Christ can give you a home in heaven.

Col. 2:20 – Christ has set you free from following the world’s ideas of how to be saved by doing good and obeying various rules.

Rom 4:4 – You don’t earn the right to heaven, no, for being saved is a free gift. If a person could earn it by being good, then it wouldn’t be free, but it is.

Rom. 6:23 – The free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ.

A Prayer That Leads to Happiness: Dear God, I believe Jesus Christ was who He claimed to be, Your Son, and that He proved it by rising from death. Jesus Christ, thank You for dying for me on the cross. I want You to forgive my sins and I want to know You personally and experience the freedom You offer. As much as I know how, I ask You to come into my life and be my Lord and Savior. Amen.

February 26 2017 Getting A Grip On Power

Getting A Grip On Power

Job 6:10 – At least I can take comfort in this, despite the pain. I have not denied the words of the Holy One.

1 Corinthians 4:20 – The Kingdom of God is not just fancy talk. It is living by God’s power.

Psalm 68:35 – God is awesome, He gives power and strength to His people.

WHEN TO EXPECT GOD’S POWER

1. When I’m tired.

Isaiah 40:28 & 31 – The Lord is the everlasting God. He never grows tired or weary. He strengthens those who are weak and tired. Those who trust the Lord for help will find their strength renewed. He gives power to those who are tired and worn out, He offers strength to the weak.

2. When I’ve nothing to offer.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 – My power shows up best in weak people. Now I am glad to boast about how weak I am, I am glad to be a living demonstration of Christ’s power, instead of showing off my own powers and abilities.

3. When I’m in pain.

Psalm 41:3 – The Lord nurses them when they are sick and eases their pain.

4. When I’m tempted.

Romans 7:18 – I often find that I have the will to do good, but no power.

2 Corinthians 10:13 – Every temptation that has come your way is the kind that normally comes to people. But god keeps His promise, and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond your power to resist, at the time you are tempted, He will give you strength to endure it, and so provide you with a way out.

Philippians 4:13 – I have the strength to face all conditions by the power that Christ gives me.

HOW TO BUILD CONFIDENCE IN GOD’S POWER

1. Admit your need for help.

Proverbs 29:23 – Pride ends in humiliation, while humility brings honor.

2. Get connected.

John 15:5 – I am the vine and you are the branches. Those who remain in Me and I in them, will produce much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.

2 Timothy 1:7 – For the Spirit that God gives us does not make us timid. Instead His Spirit fills us with power.

3. Choose God’s way with faith that God’s power will show up.

Hebrews 11:1 – What is faith? It is the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen.

Isaiah 40:31 – Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary.

Romans 8:17 – And since we are His children, we will share His treasure. For everything God gives to His Son, Christ, is ours too.

January 29 2017 Getting A Grip On Prayer

GETTING A GRIP ON PRAYER

Luke 11 and John 15

Luke 11:1 – And they said, Lord, teach us to pray.

Misconceptions About Prayer:

• Magic wand.
• Make God into a genie.
• First aid kit.
• Tug of war.
• Religious duty.

Four Purposes Of Prayer:

1. It’s an act of dedication.

John 15:5 – I am the Vine and you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit, but apart from Me, you can do nothing.

John 15:5 – If anyone does not remain in Me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers. Such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire, and burned.

John 15:7 – But if you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.

2. Prayer is an act of communication.

John 15:15 – I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I have learned from My Father I have made known to you.

John 15:16 – You did not choose me, but I chose you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in My Name.

3. Prayer is an act of supplication.

Phil. 4:6 – Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer present your request to God.

Phil. 4:7 – And the peace of God will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

John 16:23 – I tell you the truth, My Father will give you whatever you ask in My Name.

John 16:24 – Until now you have not asked for anything in My Name. Ask and you will receive and your joy will be complete.

James says – You have not because you ask not.

Psalm 145:16 – You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.

Psalm 37:4 – Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desire of your heart.

Psalm 84:11 – No good thing does He withhold from those whose walk is blameless.

4. Prayer is an act of cooperation.

John 14:12 – I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in Me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things, because I am going to My Father.

John 14:13 – And I will do whatever you ask Me, for anything you ask in My Name, I will do it.

October 30 2016 I am the Good Shepherd

Connecting With The Real Jesus - I am the Good Shepherd

John 10:14, 27-28 "I am the good shepherd. I know my own sheep and they know me.... My sheep recognize my voice. I know them and they follow me. I give them eternal life and they will never perish. No one will snatch them away from me."

WHAT IT MEANS TO YOU THAT JESUS IS YOUR SHEPHERD

1. As my good shepherd, Jesus provides for my needs.

Matthew 6:31-33 "“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your Heavenly Father already knows all of your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need."

Memory Verse: Philippians 4:19 "My God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus."

2. As my good shepherd, Jesus protects me from harm.

Mark 4:35-40 As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed). But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water. Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?” When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

Psalm 34:9 "The good man does not escape of troubles. He has them, too, but the Lord helps Him in each and everyone."

3. As my good shepherd He will guide me on what is right.

James 1: 5-8 (TLB) 5 If you want to know what God wants you to do, ask him, and he will gladly tell you, for he is always ready to give a bountiful supply of wisdom to all who ask him; he will not resent it. But when you ask him, be sure that you really expect him to tell you,

Matthew 7:13-14 (NIV) Enter through the narrow gate. For Wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow is the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."

Luke 15:4-7 If a man has a 100 sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won't he leave the 99 others in the wilderness and go and search for that one that is lost until He finds it? And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders." And when he arrives, he will call together all of his friends and neighbors saying, "Rejoice with me, because I have found my lost sheep." "In the same way, there is more joy in Heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over 99 others who are righteous and haven't strayed away.

September 25 2016 Learning To Be Content

LEARNING TO BE CONTENT

Memory Verse: Exodus 20:17 "You shall not covet...anything that belongs to your neighbor."

"COVET": the uncontrolleddesire to acquire

I. What Happens When I Always Want More

1. Fatigue

Proverbs 23:4" Do not wear yourself out to be rich; have the wisdom to show restraint."

2. Debt

Ecclesiastes 5:11 (LB) "The more money you have, the more money you spend..."

3. Worry

Ecclesiastes 5:12 (GN)"A working man ... can get a good night's sleep. But the rich man has so much that he stays awake worrying."

4. Conflict

James 4:1"What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from the desires that battle with you?"

5. Dissatisfaction

Ecclesiastes 5:10 (GN)"You will never be satisfied if you long to be rich. You will never get all you want."

Philippians 4:12(Paul) "I have learned the secret of being content... whether living in plenty or in want."

II. How To Learn To Be Content

1. RESIST COMPARING MYSELF TO OTHERS.

2 Corinthians 10:12 "We do not dare classify or compare ourselves ... it is not wise."

I Timothy 6:9 (JB) "When we long to be rich, we are a prey to temptation; We get trapped into all sorts of foolish and dangerous ambitions which eventually plunge us into ruin."

2. REJOICE IN WHAT I DO HAVE.

Ecclesiastes 5:19 (GN)"If God gives a man wealth and property .. he should be grateful and enjoy what he has...it is a gift from God."

Ecclesiastes 6:9 (GN)"It is better to be satisfied with what you have than to be always wanting something else."

3. RELEASE WHAT I HAVE TO HELP OTHERS.

I Timothy 6:17-19 (LB)"Tell those who are rich, not to be proud and not to trust in their money which will soon be gone. Tell them to use their money to do good ... to give happily to those in need, always with others whatever God has given them. By doing this they will be storing up real treasure for themselves in heaven -- it is the only safe investment for eternity!"

Acts 20:35 (GN)"There is more happiness in giving than in receiving."

4. REFOCUS ON WHAT'S GOING TO LAST.

2 Corinthians 4:18 "We fix our attention, not on the things that are seen, but on things that are unseen. What can be seen lasts only for a time, but what cannot be seen lasts forever."

Luke 12:15 "A man's true life is not made up of the things he owns, no matter how rich he may be."